Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State seems to be unsettled by the prophecy that he may not pick governorship ticket under Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the forthcoming primaries in the state, StraighNews has gathered.
Emmanuel had last year visited a man of God (names withheld) in Delta State to consult on his political future particularly the second term ambition.
StraightNews learnt that the prophet was blunt in telling the governor that if he is aspiring to go for a second term in the office, he should not bank hope on PDP but another political party in the country.
The governor, who had gone to the servant of God in company of a few trusted allies, was told to forget about the party and look for another to pitch his tent, it was learnt.
“The man of God further told him to forget about joining the ruling All Progressives Party (APC) because President Muhammadu Buhari would not win for a second term in the office,” the source hinted.
Before this time, the governor was said to be romancing with APC both at the state and national levels. He was said to have secretly consulted some elders of APC in the state to allow him fly the party’s governorship flag during the forthcoming elections.
An anonymous APC chieftain from Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area who attended the nocturnal meeting told our staff that the elders gave him some tough conditions one of which was for him to publicly renounce and probe his political godfather, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The governor, according to the source, saw some of the conditions as bitter pills difficult for him to swallow, a situation that compelled him to turn down the offer.
However, the prophecy may not be linked with the allegation that he colluded with some security operatives in Anti-Fraud Unit of Akwa Ibom Police Headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia to invite some PDP henchmen who were suspected to have defrauded the state.
The suspects were hoodwinked to honour the invitation on the pretext that they would be freed from the clutches of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abuja.
The affected persons, according to the source, coughed up huge millions of naira, a situation that helped to whittle down the financial influence of the said politicians and angered them in the long run, StraightNews learnt.
It was also alleged that the governor was instrumental to the invasion of Government Guest House, Uyo by operatives of Department of State Service in 2015 crafted as a ploy to send the outgone governor packing said to have been holed in one of the guest houses.
“If not that the ex-governor is a smart person, the security operatives would have picked some incriminating items from the room he was using for use in blackmailing him,” a close source in Government House confided in StraightNews.
Early in 2016, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, the factional Peoples Democratic Party caretaker committee chairman, was said to have hosted a meeting with such Akwa Ibom State PDP stakeholders as Governor Emmanuel who was then chairman, PDP Zoning Committee for the botched Port Harcourt National Convention and Senator Godswill Akpabio, among others in Abuja.
Sheriff told Akpabio “You know the governor is the leader of the party in the state. Anything you want, discuss with the governor,” an insider said this instruction provoked Akpabio.
In continuation of the romance with Sheriff’s camp, the governor boldly invited Senator Sheriff to Akwa Ibom during the state creation anniversary on September 23, 2016 without the knowledge of and to the embarrassment of some stakeholders of the party.
The Supreme Court later ruled and accorded recognition to Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi as the PDP caretaker committee chairman, thus sending Sheriff packing unceremoniously. Udom was a loser.
It was peddled that before the PDP national convention in Abuja in November last year, Governor Udom was a distant supporter of the candidature of the PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus.
Despite the prophecy and some political bloopers, some men of God daubed “Fathers of Faith” in Akwa Ibom gathered December last year at Le Meridien Hotels and Golf Resort, Uyo and anointed Governor Emmanuel for a second term in the office.
Among them were Dr. Sunday Mbang, Prelate Emeritus of Methodist Church Nigeria; the legendary Dr. Uma Ukpai; Archbishop Cletus Bassey; Dr. Sylvanus Ukafia and Rev. Ndueso Ekwere, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) chairman in the state and more than 200 other church leaders.
Mbang said: “One of the things that endear me to the governor is his transparent Christianity. This governor is real and touchable. He has transformed the State in less than three years in office.
“If you are here and want him to continue, promising to support him with prayers and mobilization please rise to the feet before God and man.”
All of them rose with standing ovation to declare support for the governor’s re-election bid.
Not done, Mbang added: “We have adopted Udom as our governor for 2019. Udom is the Christian candidate for 2019.
“We would talk about Udom and governance from the pulpits. He is fighting cult members, kidnappers and criminals without relenting. He is developing and transforming our state.
“I want this man to come back and continue his good works. Whether they like it or not, Udom will be re-elected come 2019.”
Bassey declared Emmanuel is taking the state to the Promised Land. “This is one man who is unafraid of leading us. We have seen glimpses of the Promised Land and we shall ensure he takes us there.
“With him, we have witnessed unprecedented development and advancement. We have left Egypt. We have moved closer and closer to the land of God,” he stated.
Bassey went on: “In 2015, time happened to you and the church produced in you a worthy governor and ambassador of the church. You came as a prayer answered.
“In 2015, we crossed the red Sea. As 2019 beckons, we stand before the river Jordan. We have the confidence that He who started with us will perfect it.
“We are ready to wade into the Jordan River that is opened to you. We know we would be called all kinds of names but we don’t mind. We will pray and work for Akwa Ibom.
“We will not allow you to walk alone. Your success is the success of the State. We see in you a tool in the hands of God. You have done well as a governor.
“We are meeting at Gilgal to renew our faith in God and confidence in your leadership. Though your paths be dark, there is always light at the end of the tunnel.
“You will not stumble because we will be there for you. Together we shall overcome the Goliaths.”
Ekwere declared: “It’s an historic and unprecedented day. We want to say that we love you and appreciate the transformation you have bought to the state.
“The church bought you up and we are standing by you. The people here pray, defend and fight for you. We love you so much that we will stand by you.”
Ukpai, who was smiling finally spoke, “It’s not every day you get a Christian as a politician. He has come to wipe your tears. I am not only asking that we adopt but also pray that God should anoint him more.
“He came not to repeat but he is sent by God to redeem us. We have overstayed in Horeb. Our own Moses has come. We owe him a prayer support. It is a debt we must pay.
“I want to thank him for accepting to serve because we are a difficult people. I believe you were sent by God to transform our economy to an industrialised one.
“God will raise only dedicated and honest men to work with you. Don’t be afraid of anybody because when God has accepted to do something for a man, He must do it,” he declared.
